Program Options

The Master of Science in Computational Finance program (MSCF) at Carnegie Mellon is offered as a Full-Time, Part-Time, Online or an MSCF/MBA Dual Degree program. We also offer a Math Certificate program. Carnegie Mellon offers two campus locations for the MSCF program: our main campus in Pittsburgh and our Financial District location in New York. Both the Full-Time and Part-Time MSCF programs are available at each location. Whether situated in Pittsburgh or New York, all lectures are recorded and made immediately available online to MSCF students.

MSCF Full-Time

The MSCF Full-Time program is designed for students seeking to study full-time and participate in a summer internship.

AvailabilityPittsburgh and New York

Class SizeOur average class size is 40 full-time students in the Pittsburgh program and 35 full-time students who study in New York.

Course of StudySixteen months in duration,the degree entails three, fifteen-week semesters (divided into mini-semesters) and a summer internship. Students matriculating in August 2015 graduate in December 2016.

InternshipMany firms hire extensively out of their summer internship programs; 98% of our full-time students participate in a summer internship.

DeliveryMost faculty reside in Pittsburgh, delivering instruction live to the New York campus via live, interactive video. Faculty teach one-third of the time in New York; one-on-one faculty-student sessions and faculty-student social events take place during these visits.

MSCF Part-Time

The MSCF Part-Time program is designed for students seeking to remain employed while pursuing the MSCF degree in the evenings.

Course of StudyStudents complete twenty-five courses over six semesters (twelve mini-semesters) to earn their degree. With the exception of the first mini-semester when three courses are taken, two courses are required per mini. Students matriculating in August 2015 graduate in May 2018.

InternshipAlthough part-time students are welcome to interview for summer internships, few choose to relinquish their full-time positions in order to take a summer internship.

DeliveryMost faculty reside in Pittsburgh, delivering instruction live to the New York campus via live, interactive video. Faculty teach one-third of the time in New York; one-on-one faculty-student sessions and faculty-student social events take place during these visits.

MSCF Online

The MSCF Online program is designed for students seeking to maintain their jobs but cannot meet the residency requirements of the MSCF Part-Time program.

Availability
No geographical restriction provided exam proctoring can be arranged concomitant with examinations given the brick-and-mortar students.

Course of StudyMSCF Online Students complete twenty-five courses over six semesters (twelve mini-semesters) to earn their degree. With the exception of the first mini-semester when three courses are taken, two courses are required per mini. Students matriculating in August 2015 graduate in May 2018.

InternshipAlthough part-time students are welcome to interview for summer internships, few choose to relinquish their full-time positions in order to take a summer internship.

DeliveryStudents remotely access the live lecture to participate with the professor and students in the New York and Pittsburgh classrooms. The technology permits online students to ask questions and make presentations through live interactive video.

Technology RequirementsClick here here to learn more about the technology requirements for MSCF Online students.

MBA/MSCF Dual Degree

A winning combination of analytic rigor and practical business skills, the Finance MBA/MSCF "Dual" degree is specifically designed for individuals with strong quantitative backgrounds seeking leadership positions within the financial services industry.

Offered by the MSCF program in conjunction with the Tepper School MBA program, the MBA/MSCF Dual Degree is unique. No other school offers the broad, analytical skills gained in a top-ranked MBA program along with the comprehensive, quantitative finance course of study found in Carnegie Mellon’s MSCF program. For a career in finance, the MBA/MSCF Dual Degree is provides a career advantage with a solid base of management fundamentals combined with the quantitative financial engineering skills.

Course of Study

The MBA/MSCF Dual Degree is designed to be completed in five semesters of coursework.

As part of the MSCF curriculum, Dual Degree students learn:

Traditional finance theories of equity and bond portfolio management

The stochastic calculus models on which derivative trading is based

The application of these models in both fixed income and equity markets

Through a variety of MBA electives, the MBA/MSCF Dual Degree draws upon the strength of the Tepper’s School's renowned finance and economics departments and is further broadened by a host of MBA courses including marketing, strategy, communications, and operations.

Math Certificate Program

The Math Certificate Program offers non-degree students the ability to receive the same intensive instruction as degree students in a specific track consisting of six certificate-designated math courses. Certificate students attend the same classes as degree students and are required to perform the same coursework.

Course of Study

With certain exceptions, courses are offered one course per mini-semester.

The program begins in August and takes six mini-semesters to complete; thus, students matriculating in August will graduate in December of the following year. Math Certificate students are not eligible for Career Placement Services.

Application Process

Application for the Math Certificate can be done online. Application requirements include:

Completed MSCF application

GRE/GMAT test score (GRE preferred)

Official transcripts of all academic work

Visa documentation

Cover letter including an Essay C (Statement of Purpose) in the online application

Cost

The cost of the Math Certificate for the 2015-2016 academic year is $3,870/course ($645/unit).

Requirements

To obtain the Math Certificate, students must take at least six of the following ten courses. Required courses are identified by asterisks. Courses must be taken in the mini-semester and in the order in which they are shown below. Students who take two courses in one of the mini-semesters in which two courses are offered may, but are not required, to take courses in the other mini-semester in which two courses are offered.